Evaluating the Supplementary Effects of Vitamin C on Carbamazepine and Pentylenetetrazol-Induced Seizures and Preimplantation Loss in Pregnant Wistar Rats: Implications for Human Pregnancy

Abstract

Background: Epilepsy is a complex neurological disorder affecting millions worldwide and is the most common major neurological complication during pregnancy. Carbamazepine, a widely used antiepileptic drug, has been associated with oxidative damage. Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant has shown potential in controlling seizures and improving fertility. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of vitamin C against carbamazepine and pentylenegtetrazole-induced seizures on pre-implantation loss in pregnant Wistar rats.Methods: We randomly assigned Thirty pregnant rats into six groups of five animals each. Group received distilled water (2 ml/kg), Group 2 was administered pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) at a dose of 60 mg/kg, Group 3 received vitamin C (100mg/kg) along with PTZ (60 mg/kg), Group 4 was given carbamazepine (20 mg/kg), Group 5 received both carbamazepine (20 mg/kg) and PZT (60 mg/kg), and Group 6 was pretreated with vitamin C, carbamazepine and PZT at doses of 100 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg and 60mg/kg, respectively. Treatments were administered via gavage once daily for 11 consecutive days, while PTZ was administered intraperitoneally ones. Oxidative stress parameters were assessed in the pituitary, ovary and uterine tissues alongside hematological parameters and sex hormones concentrations. We also evaluated preimplantation loss. Results: The results demonstrated that vitamin C effectively mitigated the adverse effects of oxidative stress, hormonal disruptions, preimplantation loss, and hematological changes induced by seizure and carbamazepine.Conclusion: The study concludes that antioxidant properties of vitamin C at gestation contribute to its protective effects against seizures and carbamazepine-induced alterations in reproductive parameters. The findings may have implications for human exposure to antiepileptics during pregnancy.

Keywords

• seizure
• oxidative stress
• pentylenetetrazol
• carbamazepine
• preimplantation loss
• vitamin c